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Sexual Health Information |
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Sexual Orientations and Gender Identities
LGBTT2IQQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, Transsexual, Two-Spirited, Queer, Questioning, Intersexed)
Part of our sexuality has to do with who we are attracted to. Another part also involves how we see ourselves and how we want others to see us as male, female, etc. These parts of our sexuality can be confusing, but the terms people use to describe these things can also be confusing.
The following are very general definitions:
Lesbian - a woman who is emotionally, romantically and sexually attracted to other women
Gay - when it refers to a man, it describes a man who is emotionally, romantically and sexually attracted to other men. Sometimes it is used to describe both homosexual men and lesbians.
Bisexual - a person who is emotionally, romantically and sexually attracted to men and women
Transgendered - a person who has a gender identity that is different from their physical anatomy
Transsexual - a transgendered person who seeks hormones and/or surgery so their physical anatomy matches their gender identity
Two-Spirited - a member of the Aboriginal community who is gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered
Queer - a word used by many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people to identify themselves
Questioning - a person who is not sure of their sexual orientation or gender identity
Intersexed - a person who is born with a combination of male and female genitals or with genitals that are not clearly male or female
Sexual Orientations
People of various orientations say they always had an idea about who they were attracted to, even as children. Most people agree that we don't choose our sexual orientation.
Societies and cultures have specific ideas about how people are supposed to express their sexuality. Under these circumstances, it is often difficult for some people who feel different to express who they are - to others, and even to themselves. It can be very confusing.
It may take some time for people to come to terms with who they are. Families and friends may or may not be supportive of different sexual orientations. If people are questioning their orientation or struggling with how to tell friends and family ("come out"), it is often best to talk with people who have already dealt with these issues. There are counselling services and hotlines that people can access for help. It's important to find people and environments that are supportive, validating and safe.
Gender Identities
By the age of three, most children have a sense of whether they are male or female. Transgender people have feelings of being a gender that does not match their physical anatomies. Being transgender is complicated and is often misunderstood.
Not all transgender people want to do anything to change their bodies - such as having surgery or taking hormones. Some do and some don't. Being transgender is not about orientation: a transgender person can be gay, lesbian, bisexual or straight (heterosexual).
Some of the issues transgender people deal with are similar to those that gay, lesbian and bisexual people experience. In addition to these, there are other feelings and concerns that transgender people face that are specific to people identifying as the opposite physical gender.
If people have concerns about what gender they feel they are or are struggling with how to tell friends and family, it is often best to talk with people who have already dealt with these issues. There are counselling services and hotlines that people can access for help. It's important to find people and environments that are supportive, validating and safe.
For More Information
Local libraries and bookstores are good places to find books about sex, sexuality, sexual orientations and gender identities.
AIDS and Sexual Health InfoLine
1-800-668-2437
Toronto Health Connection
416-338-7600
Kids Help Phone
1-888-668-6868
Web Links
Links to sites outside the City of Toronto website are provided for convenience and additional general information only. Toronto Public Health does not endorse any advertisements and is not responsible for the content and opinions found on external sites.
The information posted on this site, as well as linked sites, is not a substitute for a
professional medical opinion.
There are many web sites that provide information and support specifically for LGBTTQQI individuals, communities and their families. The following are just a few:
Canadian Women's Internet directory - LGBT Rights and Resources
Web links to resources for LGBT
Gay Canada.com - The 519
Links to many diverse LGBT services and associations
Pink Pages, Toronto, Canada
Provides information about community events and services with more links to web sites that serve this diverse community
SOY - Supporting Our Youth, Toronto, Canada
A community development project designed to improve the lives of LGBTT youth in Toronto
Lesbian Gay Bi Youth Line, Ontario Canada
A service by youth for youth in Ontario that affirms the experiences and aspitaions of LGBT, Two-Spirited, Questioning youth
Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), Canada
Information, resources and support for parents of lesbians and gays
Family Pride Canada - University of Western Ontario
A national online resource centre for LGBT youth, adults and their families
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